Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1839: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if school transport facilities will be offered to primary school children from Clane to attend a school (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that schools in Clane have no vacancies and the school can offer places to children from Clane if school transport will be provided on a bus that already passes the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29903/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for free transport, subject to certain conditions, to their nearest national school.

However, pupils not attending their nearest national school may avail of fare-paying transport to another school, provided:

(a) the written agreement of the board of management of the nearest school is secured;

(b) there are spare seats available on the bus; and

(c) no extra cost is incurred by extending or re-routing an existing service.

The families of the children referred to by the Deputy should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of spare seats on any existing bus service to the school in which the children are enrolled.

There is no provision within the school transport scheme to provide transport to pupils in the circumstances referred to by the deputy.